Have you recently renovated your home? Are you a DIYer that doesn’t shy away from re-painting the rooms in your home when you have grown tired of the old color? If so then you may be wondering what you could do about the annoying and dangerous paint fumes, toxins, gases, and odors that linger after painting projects. Opening all the windows and running a fan may not do the trick and you could be risking your health. But there are some air purifiers that could help eliminate paint fumes. And if you re-paint often enough, these machines are very handy to have around. Take a look at our review of the best air purifier for paint fumes.
The Best Air Purifier for Paint Fumes & Gases
BEST PRICE
- Eliminates Paint fumes
- Reduces Paint Odor
- Powerful – large room coverage
- Relieves headaches and reduces nausea from chemical exposure
- Best value
OUR PICK
- Eliminate paint fumes & toxins
- #1 Rated room air purifier for multiple chemical sensitivity
- Relieves headaches and reduces nausea from chemical exposure
- Get rid of Paint smell
- Large room coverage
ALSO GREAT
- Specializes in the reduction of harmful chemicals
- Relieves headaches and reduces nausea from chemical exposure
- Reduce coughing, sneezing, etc
- Sleep better
- Well respected company
Best Air Purifier for Paint Fumes & Paint Smell Reviews
Alen Breathesmart 75i Air Purifier
The first air purifier on our list is the Alen BreatheSmart 75i, which is an exceptional device for removing paint fumes from the air.
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier is the most powerful of the BreatheSmart lineup, covering up to 1,300 square feet. Although it boasts the largest room coverage, it only take 45watts to run, which is the second lowest draw in the BreatheSmart class. It also has the longest filter life, needing a replacement every 12-15 months. Considering most air purifier filters need to be replaced every 6 months, this will add up to plenty of savings, which is a bonus since the initial cost makes this one of the more expensive air purifiers.
The BreatheSmart 75i comes in 8 different color options, with the standard black and white as well as faux-wood in maple, oak and rosewood. It has a very low-key profile and can sit off the side in any room and hardly be noticed.
Using a True HEPA H13 filter, this will capture 99.99% of contaminants larger than .1 microns. This includes dust, dander, allergens, pet fur, and many different kinds of odors. This is what makes this device a great choice for removing paint fumes from the air.
To better assure you that it is cleaning your air, this model features a Smart Sensors which detects airborne particles. It features a color changing panel that auto-adjusts to show you the air quality within your home. From Blue to Red, there are 5 different levels that will be displayed.
Even with the power to clean a 1300 square foot room every 30 minutes, this mode has a very quiet fan. Depending on the fan speed setting, the noise will range from 25 dB to 49 dB. Great for overnight use, the low fan speed also registers are “pink noise”, which has been show to help promote a more restful sleep.
Pros:
- Cleans up to 1300 square feet
- Very quiet at only 25dB
- Great for overnight use, fan sound is “pink noise” which promotes restful sleep
- Only draws 45watts
- Filters last 12-15 months
- 8 color options
- Has an Air-Quality Sensor
- Perfect for removing odors from the air, include paint fumes and VOCs
Cons:
- Does not have a remote control or phone app
Trial Results
We tested the BreatheSmart 75i in a huge 3 car garage that smelled of must and mildew. After running it overnight, there was a noticeable difference in the smell. We ran it at the lowest speed and the sound quickly faded into the background. This would be great for overnight use in a bedroom. Having the air-quality sensor was also great for peace of mind.
IQAir GC Multigas Air Purifier
IQAir is known for putting out medical-grade air purifiers, which means its also a great choice for removing paint fumes and VOCs from the air! Their flagship model, the HealthPro Plus, is the standard for immuno-compromised individuals. The model in our list, the IQAir CG Multigas, looks identical to the HealthPro Plus aside from the lavender stripe running down the front, which we think improves its aesthetic.
The IQAir GC Multigas air purifier is perfectly named, as it is great for eliminating gases, odors, and chemical contaminants. Because paint fumes are really VOCs in the air, the GC Multigas was built for removing them!
Using a HyperHEPA filter, the GC Multigas also contains four disposable, gas-phase filter cartridges made with the highest quality activated carbon. Designed to reduce gases, chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that produce odor, these filters all work in tandem to clean your air and improve your lung health.
While most air purifiers use the standard activated carbon filter, which has a lower-quality coconut-shell for absorption, the GC Multigas uses bituminous coal. This carbon is better at filtering the air as it is activated in a way that preserves the maximum number of micropores, which trap pollutants. Alumina pellets combined with ChemiSorber media are used to remove formaldehyde, and the way that each filter is positioned helps to improve air flow and system efficiency.
A surprising note to consider is that the GC MultiGas has the same chemical removal ability as 100 gas masks!
While all of the machines on our list will give you cleaner air than the standard air purifier, this model takes it one step further. The price tag is not for the faint of heart, but if clean air is important to you and especially if you suffer from severe allergies or live in a highly-polluted area, the GC Multigas is a worthwhile investment.
Pros:
- Filters out particles down to .003 microns in size
- Filters out a wide spectrum of gases, chemicals and odors
- #1 Rated air purifier for multiple chemical sensitivity
- Designed for rooms up to 1125 sq ft
- Includes a remote control and filter-life monitoring
- 320-degree clean air output
- Low energy use
Cons:
- One of the most expensive air purifiers on the market
- Expensive replacement filters
Trial Results
Austin Air Healthmate Standard Air Purifier
The Austin Air HealthMate Standard is a great choice for paint fume removal and has been one of the most popular air purifiers on the market since 1990. It features a Medical-grade True HEPA filter and top-of-the-line activated carbon filtration, which filters air particles as small as .3 microns with a. 99.97% efficiency.
With over 780 cubic inches of activated carbon and zeolite filtration, this device is packed with a punch! The 6-speed fan settings give you full control over your air filtration needs and the 360-degree intake-outtake means you can place this anywhere and still see great results.
Unlike many air purifiers, which only push clean air out the top, the HealthMate Standard gives better air circulation and can more quickly filter air.
Pros
- Has a 4-stage filtration system, including a medical-grade HEPA filter
- Easy to wheel around the home
- Simple dial knob to change fan speeds
- No lights, so great for overnight use
Cons
- No remote control
- Weighs 45 pounds
- Lacks many features that most modern air purifiers have
Trial Results
What to Look for in an air purifier for paint fumes and paint smell?
When shopping the above or any other kinds of air purifier for paint fumes, you are going to want to look out for:
- VOC Filtration
- Activated carbon filters
- Potassium iodide-infused filters
Benefits of an Air Purifier for Paint Fumes
Many people have chemical sensitivities and there are a lot of chemicals and VOCs in common house paints. Using an air purifier can reduce symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and nausea that occur with exposure to these chemicals. Long-term exposure to paint chemicals can also cause respiratory issues so using an air purifier greatly reduces the risk of discomfort and disease.
FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
Will an air purifier help with paint fumes?
Absolutely. Many modern filters can capture VOC’s in the air that paint emits during drying or curing.
How long does it take to get rid of paint fumes?
It will vary depending on the size of the room, how ventilated it is and they type of air purifier you use. Typically though, paint fumes will linger for about 19 weeks.
How long is paint smell toxic?
You generally want to avoid being in a freshly-painted room for about three days.
Closing
To truly ensure the safety of you and your family, it is imperative that you use a high-quality air purifier rated to eliminate VOCs and toxic chemicals found in house paint. Ventilation and fans aren’t always enough. Besides, any of the purifiers mentioned above will be very handy to have around in renovation, re-painting, and general living situations. Interested in learning more? Learn about the best air purifier for chemicals.
Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.